Friday, 4 August 2017 – 1:45 – 3:00 PM
Who Told You That You . . . ? Understanding the Cycle of Oppression/Socialization
Our experiences have been defined by the messages we have learned and heard over time. What is the misinformation and missing information that inform how we see, understand and deal with BLACKNESS? How are attitudes toward and the treatment of people of African descent informed by our socialization? What have we learned that we need to unlearn? These sessions will allow us to look at the Cycle of Oppression/Socialization and consider how it informs our social mixing. Participants will walk away with an understanding of how socialization impacts engaging race across difference and will have skills to challenge the messages they have learned through socialization.
People of African, API, First Nations, and Latinx descent (people of color)
Time/Location: 1:45 – 3:00 PM – 2nd Floor – Missouri Upper
Presenters: Dr. Jamie Washington and Rev. Sam Offer
People of European descent and people of color with whiteness as an identity
Time/Location: 1:45 – 3:00 PM – 2nd Floor – Missouri Lower
Presenter: Evangeline Weiss
Friday, 4 August 2017 – 3:15 – 4:15 PM
Our Black Experiences and Relationships
Time/Location: 3:15 – 4:15 PM – 2nd Floor – Missouri Upper
Presenter: Rev. Sam Offer
How have the dynamics of race impacted our relationships? What are the dynamics that often appear in friendships, romances, parenting, leadership, etc.? Do we minimize our experience to fit in? Do we position others’ experience to be more significant? What are tools and skills that can help us to appreciate the black experience within and across racial identities? Participants will have a clearer understanding of how race plays a part in all our relationships, within and across difference. Participants will acquire tools/skills to navigate the black experience.
Blackness in Worship
Time/Location: 3:15 – 4:15 PM – 2nd Floor – Missouri Middle
Presenter: Dr. Jamie Washington
What could “lifting up” the black experience look like in the life of church and ministry? How have we seen or not seen ourselves, and our experiences, in our weekly worship services and gatherings? We will consider worship, leadership, prayer, liturgy, programming, and recognitions. What are the places and practices where we have opportunities to do better? Participants will gain knowledge of the significance of the black experience in worship and will learn additional ways to intentionally incorporate the experiences of blackness in worship and beyond.
S.Y.T. (Share Your thoughts)
Time/Location: 3:15 – 4:15 PM – 2nd Floor – Missouri Lower
Presenters: Rev. Alycia Erickson and Valarie Parson
Do you have a question, thought, idea or concern? Many time we are SYTting (sitting) with something we have heard or learned in a session. We have questions or thoughts that arise during our processing. This open space allows you to ask, or write comments and questions for others to consider, to create engagement
Saturday, 5 August 2017 – 10:45 AM – 12:15 PM
What Now?
How do we move forward in creating a space that helps to foster greater equity of the black experience in MCC as an organization? This safe space is designed to foster authentic dialogue in like-race spaces. What do we need to say or ask? As people of African descent, what do we need to do to center blackness? As people of European descent, what do we need to do, as advocates and allies, to advance the inclusion of blackness? Participants will find community and safe space within their race-alike group and explore: “How can we in our dominant or marginalized spaces raise the importance of greater awareness and inclusion of people of African descent experiences within MCC?”
People of African, API, First Nations, and Latinx descent (people of color)
Time/Location: 10:45 AM – 12:15 PM – 2nd Floor – Missouri Upper
Presenters: Dr. Jamie Washington and Rev. Sam Offer
People of European descent and people of color with whiteness as an identity
Time/Location: 1:45 – 3:00 PM – 2nd Floor – Missouri Lower
Presenter: Evangeline Weiss
Saturday, 5 August 2017 – 1:45 PM – 3:00 PM
TAKE IT TO JESUS! Principles in Self-Care
Time/Location: 1:45 PM – 3:00 PM – 2nd Floor – Missouri Upper
Presenters: Fred Cannady and Rev. Pressley Sutherland
Whether you are a person of faith, community activist, or desiring ways to better care for yourself, this workshop is for you. Often, we give our energies to caring for others and forget we need care, too. Participants will leave with an increased awareness of the importance of self-care and strategies that can be incorporated into daily life. Additionally, participants will engage in dialog to dispel the myths about mental illness, depression, and dealing with compassion fatigue.
Stay Woke: Raising the Volume
Time/Location: 1:45 – 3:00 PM – 2nd Floor – Missouri Middle
Presenter: Pastor Lesley Jones
This workshop will look at the current state of the LGBTQ political landscape and explore strategies and practices for faith communities and leaders to engage in social justice work effectively within the political arena. Participants will gain a better understanding of the current social justice issues that impact LGBTQ people. Those in attendance will have an increased awareness of what it means to “Stay Woke,” and to leverage the collective voices within churches and communities.
A Charge to Keep (Part 1)
Time/Location: 1:45 – 3:00 PM – 3rd Floor – Room 312
Presenters: Rev. Cedric Harman, Rev. Dr. Roland Stringfellow, Rev. Gwen Thomas
This is a training for trainers who are interested in facilitating safe, non-threatening dialogue about the diversity of human sexuality and gender expression and the tension that sometimes exists within African American faith communities in relation to LGBTQ individuals. Film and curriculum resources will help all participants explore the social, theological and emotional impact exclusion creates. This training will provide strategies in community organizing, Black LGBTQ Theology, and persuasive communication for successful engagement with your target audience.
- “The Theology of Inclusion”
- “The Theology of Inclusion”
- “Organizing in the Black Church Context”
- “Communication & Relationship Building”
Black and Transgender: Hearing the Back Stories
Time/Location: 1:45 – 3:00 PM – 2nd Floor – Mississippi Lower
Presenters: Rev. Brendan Boone and Rev. Jakob Hero-Shaw
This workshop will focus on gaining a better understanding of the needs and priorities of the members of the Black Trans community. We will hear stories of how gender presentation can impact our experience of the world. The discussion will address a myriad of areas, such as faith, spirituality, empowerment, and intentional engagement within the context of organizations and/or churches. Participants will leave with a better understanding of the priorities, needs, and barriers to inclusion, and have an opportunity to listen, learn, and act.
Real Talk: Positive Sexuality and Spirituality
Time/Location: 1:45 – 3:00 PM – 2nd Floor – Mississippi Upper
Presenters: Rev. Elder Lillie Brock and Pastor Victoria Burson
This workshop will focus on bringing sex out of the closet and the importance of integrating our sexuality and spirituality. When we are socialized to keep hidden our beliefs about our sexual selves, we become more vulnerable to acting on myths, taboos, and stigmas without understanding positive sexual behaviors. Participants will learn the value of destigmatizing sex and be equipped with resources to support spiritual and sexual wholeness.
Blended or Woven Worship
Time/Location: 1:45 – 3:00 PM – 2nd Floor – Missouri Lower
Presenters: Rev. Wanda Floyd and Joel Ogburn
Are you interested in how to do worship in ways that reflect cultural inclusiveness and authenticity? When we plan worship, how can we be sure people will feel welcomed? This workshop will highlight how the construction and planning for worship across cultures can invite individuals, impact congregations, and encourage a stronger sense of community. Participants will gain a deeper level of understanding around the cultural meaning of lyrics, quotes, scripture usage, and worship language. They will be able to take back to churches and communities an informed perspective that can influence change in the approach towards music and worship.
Saturday, 5 August 2017 – 3:15 PM – 4:30 PM
Living Positively: Ending the Epidemic
Time/Location: 3:15 – 4:30 PM – 2nd Floor – Missouri Lower
Presenters: Marvell L Terry II and Dr. David Williams
Despite new development’s in treatment, did you know that HIV disproportionately impacts communities of color at alarming rates in the United States? More strides must be made to reduce the stigma and misinformation about HIV. We will explore questions such as:
- How do we create more supportive communities for people living healthy and wholesome lives with HIV?
- How do we create more supportive communities for people living healthy and wholesome lives with HIV?
- How does the lack of awareness of one’s HIV status impact the community at large?
- How has the stigma around sex without condoms evolved over the past 35 years?
Participants will refresh and expand their HIV knowledge base and obtain useful information to create new conversation for healthy and wholesome living.
Do Black Lives Matter?
Time/Location: 3:15 – 4:30 PM – 2nd Floor – Missouri Upper
Presenters: Rev. Elder Dwayne Johnson and Dr. Carla Sherrell
This workshop will focus on exploring the cycle of abuse of black people and understanding how black people are harmed through negative stereotyping, micro-aggressions, and sexualization of black bodies. The discussion will include ways in which to work more collectively as advocates of social justice with black communities and churches, and lift up how black lives do matter. Participants will understand the major areas of concern and obtain resources on how to address the cycle of assault on black bodies.
A Charge to Keep (Part 2)
Time/Location: 3:15 – 4:30 PM – 3rd Floor – Room 312
Presenters: Rev. Cedric Harman, Rev. Dr. Roland Stringfellow, Rev. Gwen Thomas
A continuation of the train-the-trainer opportunity.
The Power of Story
Time/Location: 3:15 – 4:30 PM – 2nd Floor – Missouri Middle
Presenter: Patrice Ford and Naomi Washington-Leapheart
This workshop will emphasize the value of listening deeply with compassionate care and illustrate how sharing our stories lead to change, healing, and empowerment. We will share samples of stories so that we dialog on how the power of story may engage our heart and minds for change. Participants will leave with a better understanding of how to use the power of story, especially across cultural differences.
Wade in the Water – Experiencing Blackness in Worship and Music
Time/Location: 3:15 – 4:30 PM – 2nd Floor – Mississippi Upper
Presenter: Rev. Doretha Williams-Flournoy and Rev. Dr. William Knight
Words in liturgy and music can speak to people in ways that affirm our lives. We will explore how people of African descent see ourselves inside worship and ask how does blended worship impact and uplift the black experience. Through facilitated presentation and dialog, participants will understand how to engage worship and music in a way that aligns with principles of diversity, inclusion, and cultural appropriateness (as opposed to cultural appropriations).